Flexible Working Hose

G-Vac

G-Vac is PVC hose without static grounding and so it is suitable for only a small number of commercial type applications.

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Pros: Very inexpensive Very flexible Good durability Smooth exterior so it pulls easily around equipment

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Cons: Not static conducting Available in 50 ft lengths max.

Diameter: 1.25"Ø, 1.5"Ø, and 2.0"Ø
Lengths cut to order
Cuffs extra

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B-Flex is a tremendous hose for many light industrial applications where static conductivity is not a problem. Unlike G-Vac, this hose works with many applications without "adding" static.  It is a clear PVC hose with a white external helix.

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Pros: Inexpensive  Very flexible Food grade Smooth interior Good durability, though not as good as G-Vac

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Cons: Not static conducting, but much better than G-Vac.

Diameter: 1.5"Ø, 2.0"Ø, 2.5"Ø, and 3.0"Ø
Lengths cut to order, 100 ft. maximum
Cuffs not available

Urevac-2

Urevac-2 is a popular choice, but it's generally used for larger sizes, because it is durable for its weight and flexible. 0.125" of urethane tubing supported with a PVC helix makes this the best choice for wood chips, grains, and other materials for which Type 1100 is suitable, but too heavy.

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Pros: Smooth interior Very flexible, lightweight, and durable

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Cons: Expensive Not suitable for sharp metal chips Not static conducting 13" Hg. vacuum limit Pronounced exterior helix makes pulling this hose around corners a chore

Diameter: 1.5"Ø to 4.0"Ø 
60 ft lengths only
Low temperature flexible

Type 1100

Type 1100 (static dissipating) is our most popular choice. Very tough and durable, it is still quite flexible, but the 2" size may not be suitable for sustained hand work in tight places. 

Though this is an industrial duty hose, and is not heavy, some women may find that the 2" hose is too cumbersome for them. Men will have no trouble with 3", though the 4" size is getting pretty heavy. 

This is a PVC - rubber blended hose that relies on its high carbon content to dissipate static, so it is good for most applications where static is a problem with PVC hose, but not all.

Diameter: 1.25"Ø to 8.0"Ø 
Lengths cut to order, 100 ft. maximum
Suitable for full vacuum

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B-Flex (static conducting) is suitable for most standard industrial applications. It features an excellent combination of flexibility (but not as flexible as type 4050), weight , price and durability; however this product will not be durable enough for heavy use applications. 

It is a clear PVC hose with white external helix and an embedded braided copper wire.

Diameter: 1.5"Ø, 2.0"Ø, 2.5"Ø, and 3.0"Ø
Lengths cut to order, 100 ft. maximum
Cuffs not available

Type 4050

Type 4050 is a static conducting hose with static dissipating cuffs, so it works with most (but not all) static producing materials. It is the most flexible, lowest weight of the static conducting hoses, but at the cost of moderate durability. It is a clear PVC hose with white external helix.

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Pros Cheap Lightweight Super-flexible Static conducting

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Cons Moderately durable (good for clean-rooms and pharmaceutical de-dusting) Can not be cut to non-standard lengths

Diameter: 1.5"Ø and 2.0"Ø only
Lengths: 10 ft, 15 ft, 25 ft, 50 ft only

Type WE

Type WE is a clear, food grade, PVC hose with a copper ground wire and is often used in the plastics industry. Before the advent of B-Flex, this was the least expensive option for static conducting hose. It is somewhat heavier and much less flexible (especially in the winter) than Spec 1100, but still quite usable.

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Pros: Moderately flexible, durable, and lightweight Food grade Smooth interior Static conducting

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Cons: Too stiff in the winter in some buildings Copper wire breaks before the hose does compromising the ground

Diameter: 1.25"Ø to 4.0"Ø
Lengths cut to order, up to 100 ft
No cuffs available
Suitable for full vacuum

Type SW

Type SW is a rubber hose with an integral braided stainless ground wire. Certainly the heaviest of the hoses mentioned so far, it is also the most durable. While this hose is not flexible enough for working with hand tools, it is perfectly acceptable for heavy floor cleaning.

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Pros: Very durable Moderately lightweight Smooth interior and exterior Static conducting Suitable for steel chips

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Cons: Not cheap Not flexible enough for hand work

Diameter: 1.5"Ø, 2.0"Ø and 3.0"Ø only
Lengths: 10 ft, 15 ft, 25 ft, 50 ft only
Suitable for full vacuum

Type VF

Vinylife (Type VF) is a great product, but it is expensive. It has excellent durability, excellent flexibility, and is not much heavier than Spec 1100. Its smooth exterior makes this easy to handle, and it is static conducting. Comes in a few safety colors as well as clear.

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Pros: Very flexible and durable Moderately lightweight Food grade Smooth interior and exterior Static conducting

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Cons: Not cheap

Diameter: 1.0"Ø to 3.0"Ø
Lengths: 10 ft, 15 ft, 25 ft, 35 ft, and 50 ft only
Suitable for full vacuum

Superwhip

Superwhip is used as a work end for vacuum systems using 4"Ø hose and larger.  It's similar in construction to SW hose, but with a pure gum rubber inner liner for the best abrasion resistance.

Primarily used for aluminum chips or other chips that "cut" other hoses. The flexibility is quite a bit better than SW hose, because gum is softer. Very durable.  The lightest weight, most flexible, most durable large size hose.

Diameter: 2.5""Ø to 8.0"Ø
Lengths: 20 ft and 50 ft only
4"Ø and under, suitable for full vacuum
6"Ø and 8"Ø, suitable for 20" Hg.